Fire Affects 40 Apartments at Manchester Complex

MANCHESTER, CT — Residents of 40 units inside a Main Street apartment complex were displaced by a fire Tuesday morning, American Red Cross and the fire department said.

The fire broke out at about 9 a.m. at the Bennet Apartments, 1146 Main St., fire officials said. Red Cross officials said it was a "large scale" blaze.

Fire officials said they had to evacuate the building because of heavy smoke.

The Red Cross opened a reception center to assist residents with "immediate needs."

"The Red Cross is working with the City of Manchester to provide a safe place to stay and food for those affected by this fire," Red Cross officials said in a statement. "Work will continue today to ensure that all emergency needs are taken care of, such as any needs for food, clothing, medical needs and casework services."

The Red Cross is providing "comfort kits" containing personal care items like toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other items a resident might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape a fire, officials said.

Photo Credit: Google Maps